Pope Francis Mourns Victims Of Las Vegas Strip Mandalay Bay Massacre

Following the deadliest shooting in American history, which killed at least 50 and wounded 200, in Las Vegas late Sunday, Pope Francis, on Monday, sent a telegram assuring the victims and their families of his prayers, and entrusting the dead entrusting “to the merciful love of almighty God.” The Catholic Pontiff also commended the efforts of those police and emergency services personnel. The telegram was sent by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas.

“Pope Francis sends the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those affected by this senseless tragedy. He commends the efforts of those police and emergency services personnel, and offers the promise of his prayers for the injured and for all who have died, entrusting them to the merciful love of almighty God.” said Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The shooting took place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. A 64-year-old Stephen Paddock has been identified as the shooter and has been killed by the police.

In a statement on Facebook, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago said he was “Praying for victims & loved ones of those harmed by the horrific shooting in Vegas. Grateful for the first responders caring for the wounded.”

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston tweeted “May God bless all first responders as they care for the victims of last nights’ violence.”

The archdiocese of Washington released a statement via Facebook stating ‪”This morning, we offer our prayers and concerns for those who have died in Las Vegas, those who were wounded and their families. May the Lord bring them peace. #prayforvegas”

The diocese of Arlington, Virginia has announced that it will celebrate its noon mass at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More for the victims of the attack.

64-year-old Stephen Paddock, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, on a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip late Sunday, killing at least 50 people and wounded more than 200 in the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
Under the neon glow and glitz of the Vegas Strip, concertgoers dove for cover or raced toward shelter through a sea of water bottles, hats, shoes and other items lost in the stampede as a hail of gunfire rained down from the Mandalay Bay around 10 p.m. local time. The shooting continued intermittently for more than five minutes. The gunman, was later killed during a standoff with officers Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said during a news briefing.

Police believe Paddock, a local resident, was a “lone wolf” attacker. Sheriff Joseph Lombardo did not give further details, however, on Paddock’s background or possible motivation.

“We have no idea what his belief system was. Right now, we believe he was the sole aggressor and the scene is static.
“It’s a devastating time. We have responded to the scene, and we’re doing the best we can to provide safety to the survivors. Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said at a news conference early Monday.

Authorities had been searching for a woman named Marilou Danley, described only as Paddock’s “traveling companion,” but police said early Monday they had located her as well as two cars, a Hyundai Tuscon and a Chrysler Pacifica Touring, they were seeking.

The gunman was previously known to local police for past run-ins with law enforcement, according to people familiar with the investigation. Recordings of the attack suggest the suspect used an automatic weapon.

The shooting occurred at the end of the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a three-day country music concert held over the weekend that reportedly drew 30,000 attendees. The concert grounds are adjacent to Mandalay Bay. The shots began as Jason Aldean, one of the final performers, was playing. Aldean was rushed offstage when the shots rang out. Aldean posted an Instagram message that he and his crew were safe. The scene, he wrote, was “beyond horrific.”

Videos posted to Twitter from people claiming to be witnesses showed people screaming and running for cover amid the sound of gunshots.

President Donald Trump tweeted “condolences and sympathies” for the victims and their families hours after the shooting.

“The president has been briefed on the horrific tragedy in Las Vegas. We are monitoring the situation closely and offer our full support to state and local officials,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Monday morning. “All of those affected are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Among those wounded was an off-duty officer with the Bakersfield Police Department in Southern California, who was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to a news statement. Several of the department’s officers were off-duty and attending the concert when the gunfire erupted.

The Las Vegas police said Monday morning that two on-duty police officers were injured during the shooting. One of them is in stable condition after surgery and the other sustained minor injuries.

Multiple flights bound for the McCarran International Airport, about 10 miles from the shooting scene, were diverted after the attack, the airport tweeted. All other planes were temporarily grounded, with a few flights resuming Monday morning.

Security measures at many music venues have been boosted in recent years after concerts have been hit by terrorism strikes.

The Las Vegas Strip Mandalay Bay carnage surpassed the death toll of 49 people slain when a gunman in Orlando, who later said he was inspired by the Islamic State, opened fire inside a crowded nightclub in June 2016.

In May in northern England, a bomb exploded at a concert by American singer Ariana Grande in Manchester, killing 22 people in an attack carried out by the suspected Islamist militant. In Paris, Islamist attackers opened fire at a rock concert in November 2015 as part of coordinated attacks that left 130 dead.

In June, a 42-year-old man from the Philippines opened fire at a casino in Manila, killing 37 people. Police said the attack was motivated by gambling debts and other personal problems facing the gunman, who killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attack, but officials repeatedly denied it was terrorism-related.

The Route 91 Harvest Festival has been held for the past four years on a 15-acre lot across an intersection from Mandalay Bay. The concert’s main stage is situated near the northeastern side of the gold-colored casino and high-rise hotel complex, which towers more than 400 feet above the Strip.